Published on November 21, 2023, this Forbes Coaches Council article features insights from 17 experts on practical and impactful measures that businesses can adopt to contribute meaningfully to the fight against climate change. In a time when corporate social responsibility aligns with profitability, these recommendations cover various aspects, from supply chain management to energy sources and cultural shifts. The provided steps range from using purchasing power to drive change in supply chains, reducing packaging and printing, adopting renewable energy solutions, engaging stakeholders, and creating a circular economy model to fostering awareness and implementing environmental codes of conduct.
Key Points:
Use Your Purchasing Power To Drive Change:
Leverage purchasing power to drive change in the supply chain, encouraging vendors to commit to using 100% renewable energy, thereby creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Reduce Packaging and Printing:
Initiate reductions in packaging and printing by minimizing the use of materials, embracing biodegradable or recycled options, and digitizing operations to reduce printing needs.
Adopt Renewable Energy Solutions:
Transition to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydroelectric power to substantially reduce carbon footprints and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Engage Stakeholders To Carry Out Initiatives:
Create working groups involving internal and external stakeholders to provide thoughts, ideas, and accountability, ensuring successful initiatives to mitigate climate change.
Adopt A ‘Circular Economy Model’:
Implement a "circular economy model" focusing on recycling, reusing, and refurbishing to minimize waste, reduce resource extraction, and significantly decrease carbon footprints.
Create Awareness And Offer Educational Programs:
Foster buy-in for sustainable practices by creating awareness and offering educational programs to employees, customers, and the community, encouraging sustainable choices.
Adopt An EP&L Account:
Adopt an Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) account to monetize environmental impacts, encouraging businesses to reduce emissions and adopt sustainable practices throughout operations.
Explore ‘Climate Positive’ Strategies:
Explore "climate positive" strategies that aim to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than produced, prioritizing local sourcing, circular economy principles, and green logistics.
Transition To Renewable Energy Sources:
Transition to 100% renewable energy sources for operations, showcasing a commitment to sustainability, enhancing the company’s image, and attracting environmentally conscious consumers.
Implement An Environmental Code Of Conduct:
Develop a code of conduct focused on climate change, making it part of the company’s culture, and ensuring the implementation of environmental impact reduction initiatives.
Boost Self-Awareness Among Stakeholders:
Promote self-awareness among stakeholders, encouraging mindfulness about their carbon footprint and environmental impact, leading to sustainable choices.
Collaborate Throughout Your Supply Chain:
Actively engage in co-creation and ideation throughout the supply chain, collaborating with suppliers, partners, and stakeholders to brainstorm sustainable solutions and innovations.
Expand ERGs To Support Plant-Based Lifestyles:
Expand Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to include groups supporting plant-based and organic lifestyles, organizing events like farmer’s markets and “lunch-and-learns.”
Reduce The Use Of Fossil Fuels:
Reduce the use of fossil fuels by sourcing locally, ordering in bulk to reduce deliveries, offering subsidies for public transit, and expanding alternative work-at-home options to reduce commuting.
Engage Experts And Partner With Consultants:
Engage experts and partner with consultants to educate leaders on climate change history, challenges, interventions, and industry-specific actionable steps for daily operations.
Commission A Comprehensive Carbon Audit:
Commission a comprehensive carbon audit, identify major emission sources, and implement sustainable practices, energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, and support carbon offset initiatives.
Give Employees A Week Off To Volunteer:
Foster climate change combat as part of the organizational culture by providing a week off for employees to volunteer, encouraging volunteerism and sharing experiences through presentations.
For more detailed insights and advice, refer to the original article here.
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